Widmer Brothers Releases Three Barrel-Aged Beers

PORTLAND, OR. — November 12, 2013 — Widmer Brothers Brewing has announced the fourth annual release of Barrel-Aged Brrrbon as part of the brewery’s Brothers’ Reserve series. This year, in addition to Barrel-Aged Brrrbon, Widmer Brothers is releasing two variations of the smooth winter warmer: Vanilla Barrel-Aged Brrrbon ‘13 and Ginger Barrel-Aged Brrrbon ‘13.

Barrel-Aged Brrrbon is a spin on Widmer Brothers’ popular winter beer, Brrr Seasonal Ale. Since 2010, the Widmer Brothers brewing team has brewed an imperial version of Brrr Seasonal Ale reserved specifically for this release. The beer is aged in Kentucky Bourbon barrels for several months, which gives this special release a pronounced bourbon character, with vanilla and oak flavors and aromas that complement the hoppy northwest style red ale.

For the two new variations, which were first brewed in 2012 as experimental releases, the brewing team added fresh chopped ginger to a select few barrels to make Ginger Barrel-Aged Brrrbon, and fresh whole vanilla beans to a few select barrels to make Vanilla Barrel-Aged Brrrbon.

The result is three unique versions of Barrel-Aged Brrrbon in 2013, all perfect for the winter season.

“Brrrbon has become one of our most anticipated releases, both among our fans and our internal team,” said co-founder Kurt Widmer. “This beer is special, as it was our first big barrel aging project when it was first released a few years ago. Each release has been slightly different due to the barrel aging process, and those differences have evolved and become more pronounced as the beer continues to age. This year we added two variations to the mix and hope that fans of Brrrbon will try all three of the new releases side-by-side, or alongside previous vintages for a great horizontal or vertical tasting.”

The three 2013 beers can be enjoyed now, but the complex oak, vanilla, caramel and hop character will continue to evolve even more when these releases are cellared.

What started as a dream for two ordinary brothers who just loved beer has now become a reality for two ordinary brothers who still just love beer. Kurt and Rob Widmer helped lead the Pacific Northwest craft beer movement in 1984 when, in their 20s, they dreamed of brewing unique interpretations of traditional beer styles. In 1986, Widmer Brothers Brewing introduced the first American-style Hefeweizen; today, the unfiltered cloudy beer is the company’s signature brew and one of the best-selling wheat beers in the country. Based in Portland, Ore., the brewery currently brews a variety of beers including Alchemy Ale, the Rotator IPA series, Pitch Black IPA, Nelson Imperial IPA, a limited edition Brothers’ Reserve Series and a full seasonal lineup. For more information about Widmer Brothers Brewing, visit www.widmerbrothers.com.

About Barrel-Aged Brrrbon ‘13:

Barrel-Aged Brrrbon ’13 is an imperial version of our Brrr Seasonal Ale aged in Kentucky Bourbon barrels. This smooth winter warmer combines a rich malty sweetness with complex oak, vanilla, and caramel characters that will continue to develop as the beer ages.

MALTS: Pale, Caramel, Carapils, Dark Chocolate

HOPS: Alchemy, Simcoe, Cascade

ABV: 9.5%

IBU: 40

About Vanilla Barrel-Aged Brrrbon ‘13:

Our brewers added fresh whole vanilla beans to a few select barrels of our Barrel-Aged Brrrbon ’13, an imperial version of our Brrr Seasonal Ale aged in Kentucky Bourbon barrels, for this limited edition brew. The addition of vanilla beans heightens the vanilla character imparted by the barrels, and adds a delicious layer of complexity to the beer’s oak and caramel character, making for a smooth warmer perfect for the season.

MALTS: Pale, Caramel, Carapils, Dark Chocolate

HOPS: Alchemy, Simcoe, Cascade

ABV: 10.7%

IBU: 40

About Ginger Barrel-Aged Brrrbon ‘13:

Our brewers added fresh chopped ginger to a few select barrels of our Barrel-Aged Brrrbon ’13, an imperial version of our Brrr Seasonal Ale aged in Kentucky Bourbon barrels, for this limited edition brew. The addition of ginger complements the oak, vanilla, and caramel flavors of the beer and results in a smooth winter warmer perfect for the season.